Improvement in oil-cans



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

BENJAMIN CLARK, OE NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN OIL-CANS.

Specilcaton forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,979, dated September 19, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN CLARK, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oil-Cans5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description ot' the construction and operation of the same, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.

The object of my invention is to construct an oil-can that can be tilled without removing the nozzle and that shall serve as a useful lubricating-cup for machinery. To elifect this object I construct an oil-can in the usual form, having a bottom of india-rubber or other highlyelastic material. I fasten this india-rubber bottom around the lower end of the can by strong wires drawn irmly around the same, and I protect the said indiarubber bottom by a guard that forms a ring and incloses the same except in the center of the bottom. This guard is marked A on the drawings.

It is known that india-rubber andvother highly-elastic substances will lose somewhat ot' their elasticity by long and constant use, especially when brought in contact with oil and oleaginous substances.

To remedy this evil, so far as my oil-can is concerned, I attach a spiral or other durable spring to the can just below the nozzle thereot', with the bottom end resting upon the center of the india-rubber bottom; or I In ay attach it rmly to said bottom, as may be most desirable. This spring is marked B on the drawings.

In order further to protect the diaphragm from the el'ects of the oil or other lubricating substance in the can, I may stretch a bag ot' oiled silk, skin, leather, bladder, or other suitable material across the bottom of the can and directly above the said diaphragm, and I secure it irmly in its place under the saine wires that hold the diaphragm or by any other suitable means.

Gnre must be taken to make this bag sumciently large to allow the diaphragm to be moved upward as far as may be necessary for filling, and also for ejecting the contents, as herein described.

The method ot lling my oil-can is as follows, namely: Place the thumb upon the bottom ot1 the india-rubber bottom or diaphragm and press the same well up. Then place the nozzle of the can in the oil and remove the thumb. The result is that the bottom springs into its natural position, the oil is drawn into the can, and it is filled.

Then using this can for lubricating pur poses I press upon the bottom with such force as shall eject the oil to the distance required. A very little force will eject the oil three or four feet. Machinery can be easily lubricated at a distance of twenty feet from the operator by using my improvement.

What I cla-im as my invention, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

An oil-can having a spring, B, and a lined elastic diaphragm protected by a guard, A, all substantially vas shown and described.

BENJAMIN CLARK.

Witnesses J C. SMITH, FEED. B. GINN. 

